Birmingham City 1 Millwall 1 – Shaun Williams’ stunner not enough for all three points at St Andrews
BY ALEX GRACE
A stunning effort from Shaun Williams was not enough to earn Millwall all three points at St Andrews Trillion Trophy Stadium but they extended their unbeaten record to four matches.
Millwall arrived in Birmingham having won their previous three visits to St Andrews without conceding and started the game well, pressing high up the pitch and forcing the hosts into mistakes.
Birmingham wanted a penalty in the 14th minute.
Murray Wallace looked to have tripped Jude Bellingham in the box. All eyes were on referee Andy Woolmer but he waved away the protests. The following counter-attack saw Millwall’s first sight of goal, Murray Wallace’s cross headed over by Ben Thompson.
Play was stopped for around five minutes as Blues defender Marc Roberts was stretchered off and replaced by Harlee Dean.
Moments later, Ivan Sunjic’s shot from outside the box was saved by Bartosz Bialkowski.
A stunning stop by Connal Trueman denied Matt Smith giving Millwall the lead on 33 minutes. A sensational piece of play from Jed Wallace led to the winger crossing for Smith who was only denied by a superb save by the Birmingham keeper. He was called into action again a few minutes later, this time to deny Ben Thompson as Millwall began to assert their authority.
Right at the end of the half, Jed Wallace sent a shot across goal that just missed the far post.
Three minutes into the second half and the home fans were again asking for a penalty. Alvaro Gimenez looked to have been pulled back by Jake Cooper but once again referee Woolmer was unimpressed.
Birmingham should have taken the lead five minutes later. Lukas Jutkiewicz got in behind the Lions defence, but his finish was woeful.
The deadlock was finally broken on 61 minutes and it was a stunning effort from Shaun Williams. Millwall broke down the right- hand side, Mahlon Romeo found Williams in the centre and the Irishman smashed home an effort from 25 yards out.
Smith should have doubled the advantage a minute later. Jed Wallace’s free-kick was perfect for the big striker, but he headed wide.
That miss came back to bite Gary Rowett’s men as the Blues equalised on 79 minutes. Jake Clarke-Salter headed home Daniel Crowley’s corner.
Rowett introduced Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Tom Bradshaw in the final 10 minutes as Millwall went in search of a winner but they weren’t able to find one and had to settle for a point.
PICTURES BY BRIAN TONKS
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